In the State of Washington, there are currently four local communities—Seattle, Bellingham, Edmonds, and Mukilteo—that have adopted ordinances restricting single-use plastic bags. And another one may be on the way, as the Bainbridge Island City Council recently discussed a similar ordinance. Read more here, and check out the local bag ordinances passed in California and the United States.

Why the interest in banning bags, particularly from these coastal communities? Plastic bags have a disproportionate impact on our environment and economy despite their small size. The ubiquitous plastic bag litters our streets and open waters, resulting in unnecessary wildlife deaths and injuries as well as costly litter cleanups and recycling machine repairs for local governments. Read more about plastic bag impacts here.